A Mid Winter's Tea

Today another arctic blast is ushering a  really cold snap.  so  I sat by my fire doing my weekly Bible Study in Isaiah!
I thought that a lovely thing to do  would be to celebrate this mid-winter time with a  bit of tea and  a tasty!!!

{{Just as an aside I found  the  wonderful  tribute  from Sibelius , Findandia to  enjoy  while to  enjoy this post...   I remember  when Amanda and Joshau used to playnthis  when they  were in the Youth Symphony!It is  the next post following  this one}}

I recently  purchased my  cups and saucers  online   depicting Finlandia...  which makes me think  icy cold  and  lovely wintry views.. So I  originally set my tea on the dining table that is  set with a wintry mood!!


I had switched out the red transfer ware for the blue!

And I brewed  some spicy Red Roobios tea  to warm me up!!!

Yesterday at the bakery I couldn't pass up the beautiful macarons!!!

I could barely keeps hubs  snitchy fingers off of his German Chocolate one!!!

I was looking forward to the beautiful lavender one!   So   delectable.. I love that   very fragile crunch and then the chewy goodness inside!!!

Earlier in the week I had reset  the  sideboard  with a tribute 
to my grandmother  who loved  blue.

Last night I redid the mantel  for a Mid Winter's    salute!!  My handsome fox couple will usher in a valentine theme  soon!!

So I moved my  tea to the parlor so I could enjoy the fireside  while I  supped my tea and  enjoyed my sweet!!!

Pink Saturday

Friends Sharing Tea 
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup 

Whatever is Lovely, Tea Time

Our tea last week  was  so much fun.  
Friday morning the table was set, 

The hutch   housed the tea pots and  condiments 

  
The place settings were  awaiting  my  special friends  from church

I was  looking so forward for 10:30 to arrive!!!...  We were set to celebrate  Elevenses!

 The food  would be served from the parlor!

Well,  my dear guests arrived on time  and  the mood was set for a leisurely  respite from the  world's  stress and  troubles  as we  revelled in the spirit of love and  deep friendship!  

It was my joy to  in  any way I could lavish my dear companions with  many ideals I gleaned from Emilie Barnes book, If Teacups could Talk .  
The premise is  described in this quote, " Somehow, taking tea together encourages am atmosphere of intimacy when you slip off the timepiece in your mind, and cast your fate to the delight of tasty tea, tiny, food,  and thoughtful  conversation! "

Each participant had  a quote to read  spurring on the topic of setting aside  a  time to  set the mind of  beauty and  rest , and  sharing loving memories from our pasts . We  were so leisurely in our  gathering  it lasted until 2...  Lovely!!  

 Even though my knife skills could have been better, the food was  tasty and   and plentiful!

The cranberry-orange and walnut scones were a huge hit.. served with a mascarpone and  marmalade   cream,   they were  very good! 

 I just had a varied array of fresh tea bags so  ladies could choose between   caffeinated  and herbal offerings...  I  loved  the Irish Breakfast tea by Twinings!!!

Emilie in her book recommended an easy to bake cake  for  our  tea dessert...  it was  super easy...   and  so  rich only a smallish piece was  sufficient! 

My friend loved it so she went home and found it online as well!

https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/chocolate-pudding-cake/

Chocolate Pudding Cake

 

This Chocolate Pudding Cake the easiest cake recipe to make. There are only 4 ingredients! It is one of the best tasting chocolate cakes I have ever had.

Course: Dessert

Servings: 12 servings

1 Devil's Food cake mix dry

5 oz chocolate pudding mix cook and serve, not instant

3 cups milk

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Pour contents of cake mix box into a large bowl.

Stir dry pudding mix and milk together in a medium saucepan.

Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.

Fold cooked pudding into the dry cake mix.

Pour mixture into a 9x13 pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly on top.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

This cake is delicious served warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

Tea Time is  a wonderful time  to  ponder Philippians 4, What ever is lovely, think on these things!
Friends Sharing Tea 
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup 
Thursday Favorite Things
Home Sweet Home
Grace at Home

Preparing is so Much Fun!!!

So this is a very busy week.. working on the house and  getting things  done in preparation for my lovely tea party..
I have my menu planned...
Assorted teas
Cranberry  Orange Scones
Assorted tea Sandwiches
Cranberry orange compote
Triple  Chocolate  Cake Squares
These are my tried and true and everyone's favorite  Christmas scones!!  My best friend  put in an order  for them at the tea!
Most of the dishes  have been  brought out of storage, washed and    ready to set..  now stored under cover on the table.

Most of my cups are  from my Royal Albert collection  ... I  would buy one every year on vacation.

I brought out my mother's Fostoria set of  party  ware.. 

The party favors, Dove Candies are  wrapped in tulle and  ready to be presented.

Menu cards for  each place setting are  ready,

My  fairy collection is  offered as a type of theme... remmembering and sharing    our best memories of long ago!  We'll see if we can remember!.! 

The serviettes are ironed and   ready...

and now I'm off to polish silver...  on my,  where is a stool?!?!

PS: Today I sat the table..tomorrow I will   arrange the flowers..

Each place setting has a  tea  time quote  and a menu card 

 I love this tea  sign!

 The food will be served from the parlor!

Everything is now under wraps  waiting for the big day!!!

Friends Sharing Tea 
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup 
Thursday Favorite Things
Home Sweet Home
Grace at Home

Sharing Tea With friends: Planning a Jane Austen tea

This morning I planned my menu for my winter tea... I found most of my inspiration from the Dec/17 Teatime magazine.  I love Cinnamon chips so I will be making Cinnamon Chip Scones.

Egg and Cress Crepes

I couldnt find a photo   that is  as  dainty as  what the magazine  showed.. It is nothing more than  a  dainty toast crisp with a smear of  a dijon/mayonnaise spread, a slice  of hard boiled egg topped with a water cress leaf...  very  demure  yet savory!And easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes

This is a reasonable facsimile.. the magazine recipe is not as complicated as those online...

The magazine suggested homemade Mallomars...  but  I'll just purchase these  just because   I do not do merengues... and store bought are good!

  

I only  like these because I like a bit of chocolate!

Another inspiration from the magazine was a Jane Austen theme 

even though it  isn't her birthday as it was in December,  winter is still the best time to cuddle up with her books or  watch a film on tv...  so  Now I want to  research a bit of Jane and  do up some favors  .. All about Jane!   More on that later!

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share your Cup Thursday

Let's Plan a Winter Tea

 

Today I was inspired by Bernideen's  tea party to begin planning a winter tea..  This dreadful  cold  is just about behind me  due in part to the delicious herbal tea  my daughter sent me from Amazon. 

Since the flu is running so rampant.. I thought Id give a plug for this deliciously soothing  drink!!!! 

So now I am feeling  like  thinking about something much more    playful and fun!!  A wintry  party  with  dear friends!

Winter Spice will definitely be  the tea of the day!!!

It will be delightful to put away the reds and    bring forth the pastels, whites, and  light blues!

Maybe we gals can plan some spring time adventures as we  sip our teas.....

We can share our spring time garden plans.

I'm getting pretty excited about    our  upcoming time together..

I'm thinking I'd love to make a lovely loaf of soda bread  as one of  our delectables!!!

I'll have to work on the menu for next time!!!